Dental Implants vs. Bridges: Which is Right for You?

Pros:

• Maintenance and Longevity: Implants and implant crowns can't get cavities. They usually stand apart from the teeth next to them. This lets you floss easily and keep your gums healthy. So dental implants often last longer than dental bridges. They still need regular care to last a long time.
• Jaw Bone Health: Parts of the jaw bone that get no pressure tend to shrink. This is because the body has signals that tell bone to grow or to shrink. An implant and implant crown keep the growing signals working in that part of your jaw. This makes bone loss less likely to happen.

Cons:

• Cost: Implants usually cost more than dental bridges. Implants can be a good long-term choice because the teeth next to the gap do not need to be reshaped. A bridge can also work well. The right choice depends on your mouth.
• Time: Implants need to wait for bone to heal at its own pace. So it usually takes longer to place an implant and add an implant crown. For most healthy people, bone takes about 3-4 months to heal.
• Surgery: Placing an implant is surgery. The dentist often lifts a flap of gum to see where the implant goes. Many people feel unsure about surgery, and that is completely normal. It is often not as bad as it sounds. Your dentist will walk you through what to expect.

Pros:

• Time: Bridges do not have to wait for bone to heal. So they can be done much faster than implants. A bridge is usually made after a tooth is taken out. In most cases, we wait for the gum to close up first. This takes about 2-4 weeks for most healthy people. After that, the bridge can be done right away.
• Cost-Effective: Bridges usually cost less than implants. But they are still costly. They need custom dental porcelain or ceramic work from a certified dental technician.

Cons:

• Maintenance: A bridge most often fails because new cavities form where the porcelain meets the teeth. The parts of a bridge are joined together. So you cannot floss from the biting surface up to the gums. It helps to use tools like a waterpik or a floss threader. They clean out food that gathers under the bridge. Many people get frustrated and find it hard to keep these areas clean. This often leads to new cavities.
• Affects Adjacent Teeth: A bridge uses the teeth next to your gap to hold the porcelain. It copies the look and job of the missing tooth. Those teeth may have no cavities or problems that call for cutting them with a dental drill. Still, the dentist must remove some of their structure to make room for the bridge. This can mean cutting teeth that did not need it.
• Terminal Tooth: A bridge needs a tooth on each side of the gap. So it needs an end tooth, also called a terminal tooth. Suppose the tooth to be taken out is the last tooth at the back of your mouth. Then a bridge cannot be placed.

It can feel hard to choose, and that is okay. Each type of procedure has limits. Choosing between implants and bridges depends on many things, including:

• Overall Health: Dental implants need healthy gums. They also need enough jaw bone to hold the implant.
• Budget: Bridges usually cost less at first. But they may cost more over time.
• Time: Some people are in a rush to replace missing teeth. They may choose a bridge because it is done much faster than an implant.
• Long-Term Goals: Implants usually last longer. They are also easier to keep clean than a dental bridge.

Both dental implants and bridges have good points and bad points. Talk with your dentist about which one suits your needs. For advice made for you and expert care, we would be glad to see you at Carlton Dental.